Media Contact: Brett McPherson | 303-656-7464
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has announced that the national initiative Built for Zero has certified Fremont, Colorado as the 12th community in the country to functionally end veteran homelessness, and the Division of Housing (DOH) awarded $2.85M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in May.
Functional Zero for Veteran Homelessness means that a community knows every veteran experiencing homelessness by name, and has demonstrated the ability to ensure that fewer veterans are experiencing homelessness than can be routinely housed.
Built for Zero is a national initiative of 80 cities and counties that have committed to measurably ending homelessness one population at a time, led by the nonprofit Community Solutions.
“Effective solutions for chronic homelessness among veterans, individuals, families and young adults is a pivotal aspect of our mission to ensure every Coloradan is safely and securely housed,” said DOLA Housing Director Alison George. “This achievement in Fremont is a result of the hard work of partnerships between Community Solutions, other nonprofits, and our state and local partners, all working diligently together.”
Also in May, DOLA awarded $2.85M in affordable housing for Colorado.
DOLA awarded Loveland Housing Authority $1.065M to purchase and rehabilitate the Brookstone Apartments, a 72-unit multifamily property consisting of nine eight-plex, two story buildings. The two- and three-bedroom units will be available to those with incomes ranging from 30 to 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
DOLA awarded Mile High Ministries $765K to assist with the construction of Clara Brown Commons, a 61-unit building consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom units located in the Cole Neighborhood of Denver. CBC will be available to people with incomes ranging from 20 to 80 percent of the AMI.
DOLA awarded Mercy Housing Mountain Plains $1.02M to assist with the new construction of The 8315 East Colfax Apartments, an 82-unit, mixed-use, multi-family housing project consisting of mostly one-, two-, and three-bedroom units in the East Colfax corridor of Denver. They will be available to those with incomes from 30 to 70 percent of the AMI.
“With affordable housing endeavors such as these,” add George, “we are working toward keeping people from entering homelessness in the first place.”
The State Housing Board and DOLA’s Division of Housing continue to support the creation of affordable housing that is accessible, safe and secure for all Coloradoans.